EPN - Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network

EPN is now entering the third stage of its development. Since 1981 a process of change has taken place that has seen 'EPN' move from a wholly World Council of Churches-governed activity to an independent network. However, the clear focus on church-related pharmaceutical services and the issue of access to essential medicines has remained the focus. Stage 1 saw EPN as a project of the World Council of Churches (WCC); Stage 2 involved EPN's move towards independence with a secretariat based in Africa. Stage 3 sees EPN moving to intensify the Network and its activities. This crucial stage includes an element of urgency in the context of sustainability and, as a result, the strategy has an immediate initial focus of three years.

Stage 1: Initially our work was a project of the WCC and governed by their institutional structures. The aim of the work was to provide advice and consultation mechanisms in the area of pharmaceutical services. This work was carried out as part of the then Christian Medical Commission's activities based in Geneva.

Stage 2: The nature of our structure then changed and became a programme of both the WCC and the Community Initiatives Support Services (CISS), based in Nairobi and governed by a separate management committee made up of both institutions and other partners. The work remained essentially the same but was carried out by a small dedicated team. With the increased involvement of membership organisations and pharmacists working in church health services, the need for networking became clear and the first steps were taken to develop it.

Stage 3: Increasing activities and members have led to the independent registration of the organisation as a network – governed by its own board. Work is carried out by both the support team and members. The network still provides advice but also represents its members' voices at a regional and international level. Following a review, the network has identified the need to shift from process to impact-focused activities and a formalised networking system.